Killer on the loose
An ominous feeling hung in the air around Bullridge. Arya could tell something was wrong, very wrong. Crouching low off the side of the path she muttered a spell to mask all of her elven features. She signalled to the other elves that were, for the time being at least, under her command to do the same. Arya felt a drain on her already depleted energy levels, they had been running from dawn to dusk for two days now.
"Something bad has happened in there, I can feel it," one of the elves said.
Arya turned towards the voice. She didn't recognise the speaker; he was about her height with shoulder length black hair and green eyes.
"You don't recognise me do you?" he asked with a small smile.
It was then Arya noticed the blue tinge in his hair. "Blödhgarm?" she asked.
"Yes, it is I. It has been a long time since I have been without fur, I must say I don't much like it," Blödhgarm said stroking the side of his face.
If she wasn't so worried Arya would have laughed at the uncomfortable expression on his face but as it was she sighed, "I can feel it too Blödhgarm".
"Perhaps we should pass Bullridge by, we can find our own food and water with magic and I'm sure we can make do with the other supplies we have until we reach they Varden, at the speed we have been travelling it will take less than a week." Blödhgarm suggested.
"I don't want to, but if something has happened here we have to investigate, and if we can we should try to help the innocent citizens". Arya replyed.
Blödhgarm sighed, "you are right, but I don't think we should all go in, people would think it is strange for such a large group to be travelling together, especially during these times. You and I look enough alike to pass for siblings and we would not raise much suspicion if we left the others outside to keep watch".
Arya agreed and let Blödhgarm organise the elves into groups that would keep watch at each of the two main gates.
"Who are you and what business do you have in Bullridge?" the brawny guard asked. Despite his tough appearance he seemed on edge and a little frightened.
"My name is Enrique and this is my sister Nora. We are from Gil'ead but we left three weeks ago after we heard that the elves were planning an attack on the city. We are hoping to find shelter in Urû'baen but we need to buy more supplies before we continue," Blödhgarm said as planned.
The guard studied them carefully; finally it seemed he believed their story. "Well by the sound of it you left just in time. The elves did attack Gil'ead, they took it too, it's amazing I always thought that elves were a myth! You may enter but I don't like your chances of finding supplies, we've had our own share of trouble. Not two days ago that rider from the Varden laid siege to our city." Arya looked up at the guard in surprise, she knew that was impossible but couldn't see why the guard would lie, she only hoped Blödhgarm would remain calm.
"The Varden? But sir that's impossible," Blödhgarm said, to Arya's relief he sounded as though he was merely interested, "the last we heard they were hiding in Surda".
"Aye," the guard said, "they were but about the same time as Gil'ead was taken the Varden left Surda and attacked Feinster in the South. We were lucky I suppose compared to Gil'ead and Feinster, we were attacked by just fifty men and the rider. They didn't kill anyone they just swept through our town stealing and smashing everything in their way and then they were gone. Luckily not long after some troops from Urû'baen showed up. They told us the Varden troops were probably a scouting party and that it's likely they plan to attack us soon. Then they offered to help us evacuate to other cities. We can't all leave at once or we will be a target for the Varden. Some people are going to Dras-Leona, some to Teirm, some to Palancar Valley and some of us, myself included, offered to join the army" he said proudly.
Arya was hit with a sudden understanding. Misreading the look on her face the guard said, "don't worry dear, we are safe for now. There are still some shop owners left and if you can't find the supplies you need I'm sure you can leave with one of the groups evacuating the next group will be leaving at noon from this gate".
Arya and Blödhgarm nodded politely as the guard stepped aside granting them entry into Bullridge.
Arya looked around Bullridge in horror. Everywhere she looked building were lying demolished. Those building still standing were covered in graffiti. Arya noticed
Eragon's name and rough versions of the Varden's flag painted more than once.
As soon as they were sure they were out of ear shot Blödhgarm grabbed Arya's arm, "what on earth is going on here?"
"The empire is recruiting," Arya said grimly.
"Recruiting?"
"He is creating sympathy for the empire and at the same time destroying the Varden's reputation. "The people are scared and so they believe his lies. The men all want to join the army and those who get evacuated spread word of their plight prompting yet more men to join the army".
Blödhgarm looked astounded, "he attacked his own city?"
Arya nodded seriously, "it's quite a clever strategy, it will also raise moral amongst his troops; soldiers are more effective when they believe in the cause they are fighting for".
She continued after a short grim silence, "what I don't understand is how the empire fooled these people into believing Eragon was here".
Blödhgarm considered it for a while, "do you remember when Eragon was in Tronjheim? I created that goast-Eragon to ride Saphira, maybe Galbatorix had one of his magicians do something similar, although... they would have to be powerful, more powerful than an average human spell caster, unless it was Murtagh?"
"Either that or whoever it was had... help" Arya said thinking of the Eldunarya.
Blödhgarm was about to reply but Arya suddenly cut him off. She cupped one hand over his mouth and used the other to pull him around the side of the nearest building".
Arya's consciousness had lightly brushed against a shielded mind that almost defiantly belonged to an imperial magician. She was sure that whoever the magician was they would be no match for two highly trained elves however it would defiantly not be wise to confront them.
Arya felt Blödhgarm's mind enter her own, she quickly explained the situation,
Do you think he felt you? Blödhgarm asked.
I don't think so, Arya answered, the contact was minimal. Although we are lucky he is shielding his mind otherwise he could have sensed us coming.
Master Oromis always said it was better to keep your mind open to all around you, it seems you have learnt your lessons well Arya-Svit-kona.
At the mention of Oromis a tidal wave of grief crashed down upon Arya, it had surprised her how much pain the death of the rider and his dragon had caused her. She
tried her best to push aside the events of the past two and a half weeks and hide her misery from Blödhgarm.
Thank you Blödhgarm-finiarel. Shall we get closer and see if we can't shed some light upon what is going on here?
Blödhgarm had agreed and after casting spells of invisibility on themselves he and Arya ducked out from their hiding place and were sneaking their way towards where
Arya had felt the magician's mind. Their spells weren't perfect; every time she took a step Arya could see little clouds of dirt fly into the air. Luckily the people of Bullridge had mostly abandoned the streets, those who hadn't kept their heads down and went about their business as quickly as possible; no one noticed the irregular dust movement. Arya knew they were taking a huge risk but it was their duty to the Varden, and to their own people, to find out as much as what they could.
Finally they reached the building where the magician was. After quickly expanding her consciousness to the elves who were guarding the gates to check there was no sign of enemy soldiers Arya signalled to Blödhgarm to shield his mind and quickly done the same.
Drawing on their elven abilities Arya and Blödhgarm silently crept to the window and pressed their ears against the glass, their hearing was sensitive enough to hear what the man was saying.
"You're positive this will work?" he asked sounding sceptical.
The man who had spoken was wearing the red robes of an imperial magician, he was extremely tall and had thick arms that reminded Arya of some type of gorilla... or Roran, Arya suppressed a giggle and turned her attention to the other man. The second man was short, elderly and frail, almost the complete opposite of the first. They were standing in a room that appeared to be an odd cross between a home and a shop. Arya noticed all kinds of strange plants and instruments; it reminded her of
Angela's tent at the Varden.
The elderly man, who Arya assumed owned the shop replied in a frightened voice, "aye, I am positive, here are directions for making the potion," he dug around under his counter and pulled out a scroll and handed it to the man, "and here is the flower," he pushed forward a small bunch of light purple flowers that were already sitting on the bench.
The magician was reading over the instructions, "add a piece of the victim? Gross," he sneered.
The elderly man strutted unsure of how to reply. Noticing his reaction the magician laughed.
"Well I suppose it can't be helped," he said, "this had better work or believe me you will regret it".
The man turned around and for one frightening moment looked right at the window where Arya and Blödhgarm were standing, a small smirk played about his lips before he placed his left hand over his chest. Arya saw the man's mouth move but couldn't make out the words; a flash of light illuminated the room. Startled Arya ducked for cover, next to her she heard Blödhgarm's surprised cry.
Quickly gathering her senses Arya jumped up and looked into the room. The only person who remained was the old shop keeper, the magician had gone.